Steve Bruce has been sacked by West Brom after a poor start to the season that has left the club in the relegation zone.
The decision follows a 0-0 draw at home against Luton Town, which extended the Baggies’ winless run in the Championship to eight matches.
A club statement said: “West Bromwich Albion have today parted company with Manager Steve Bruce. Backroom staff Steve Agnew, Stephen Clemence and Alex Bruce have also left The Hawthorns.
“The club would like to place on record its thanks to Steve Bruce and his coaching staff for their efforts since arriving in February. Under-21s coach Richard Beale will oversee first-team affairs on an interim basis, assisted by James Morrison and Gary Walsh. The process of recruiting a new Manager is now under way and an appointment will be confirmed in due course.”
Bruce departs with a 25% win ratio, having won eight, drawn 12 and lost 12 of his 32 games since taking charge in February with West Brom sixth in the table. It has been a dismal spell for a club with ambitions of returning to the Premier League, leaving supporters increasingly vocal in their anger.
West Brom have won just once in the Championship all season, leaving them two points adrift of safety. Bruce was loudly booed for his substitutions against Luton on Saturday, the latest – and, as it turned out, final – sign of his fractured relationship with the fans.
